Irish MEP challenges baby milk health claim

IRISH MEP Nessa Childers has called on the European Parliament to seek a withdrawal of a health claim made by a multinational baby food manufacturer.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg will vote tomorrow on a resolution, brought by Ms Childers and three other MEPs, which is targeted at a claim by Mead Johnson that a synthesised fatty acid found in its baby milk products is as effective as that found in breast milk.

Mead Johnson, which produces the Enfamil range, sought authorisation for the claim in 2008. It was approved by the European Commission, but four MEPs objected, citing research which showed the scientific evidence was not conclusive.

They pointed out that the respected Cochrane Review found no proven link between DHA supplementation and better eyesight in children.

On Friday, an open letter to MEPs supporting the motion was signed by organisations including the European Federation of Nurses Association, the European Midwives Association, the European Public Health Alliance and Eurochild.

Ms Childers said it was important to lay down a marker to multinational companies and the European Commission that health claims made about baby milk would be challenged.

“Scientific evidence on DHA is not conclusive and until it is, we cannot allow it to be used as a marketing gimmick. If an ingredient is genuinely found to be beneficial and risk free, then it should be obligatory in all formula milk,” she said.

Mead Johnson spokesman Chris Perille said the company was “very disappointed” by the decision of the environment and public health committee of the European Parliament.

He said the company’s claims about DHA had been validated by the European Food Safety Authority and the International Paediatric Association among several organisations.

“We are hoping that the principles of rigorous scientific research and informed consumer choice prevail. If that is the case, then the proposal to negate the DHA health claim should be rejected,” he added.